Battery recommendations?

"V6 or Bust" (j-turn)
02/11/2016 at 18:05 • Filed to: None

This may be a dead horse, but what battery brands are best? As you can see from the title photo, my Duralast Gold is halfway through its second clamp (which I just replaced a month ago.) I’m very disappointed that this thing is leaking so much, as its really not that old.

DISCUSSION (36)

dogisbadob > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:08

Most batteries are made by only three companies: JCI, Exide, and East Penn/Deka. I believe your Duralast is a JCI.

I’d go for a Deka battery. Napa betteries are made by Deka.

HammerheadFistpunch > dogisbadob
02/11/2016 at 18:13

Second on DEKA, just get a USA made deka from someone. Good batteries.

Berang > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:14

Are you having any charging problems too?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:15

Genuine Volvo OEM. Seriously. I don’t know who makes thier batteries for them but when I sold my ‘98 V70 in 2010 I didn’t have to jump it after sitting for four months. On the 12-year-old factory original battery. My brother replaced the factory Volvo battery in his 1978 254 in 1992.

V6 or Bust > dogisbadob
02/11/2016 at 18:15

Very interesting, thank you.

dogisbadob > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
02/11/2016 at 18:18

Is it cold where you are? Because heat is a factor. Batteries in cold climates last a long long time, whereas batteries in tropical areas don’t last as long.

1111111111111111111111 > dogisbadob
02/11/2016 at 18:20

What’s the diffence between the one speced for my car, and an off the shelf one?

V6 or Bust > Berang
02/11/2016 at 18:22

It works fine, it’s just eating clamps and leaking. I haven’t tried to charge it.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > dogisbadob
02/11/2016 at 18:25

Vermont... Yeah, our average temperatures are certainly lower than Florida... We do usually get at least a month of real scorchers every year (over 90F). I’ve never lived in a hot climate, but the Volvo OEM batteries are still the longest lasting I've ever encountered.

Slant6 > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:26

Get one that is sold at places around you. So when you need a warranty claim they can get you hooked up real fast. I have a Walmart battery with warranty because I frequently go out of Autozone and Advance territory and don’t want to be stranded. There are Walmart everywhere.

Nisman > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:27

Napa for sure.

V6 or Bust > Slant6
02/11/2016 at 18:30

Makes a lot of sense! Most people seem to be recommending NAPA, and there’s a NAPA in my town, so that’s perfect. This is a beater car that will never travel.

Decay buys too many beaters > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:36

Kinja'd!!!

Ballistic LiFePo motorcycle batteries.

Chasaboo > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 18:40

My mechanic has told me to not expect a battery to last more than 2 years.

V6 or Bust > Chasaboo
02/11/2016 at 18:43

Really? I believe this one’s 2.5 years old, and I live in a hot area, so that explains a lot. I’m going to head down and get another this weekend.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 19:03

You may want to look into a battery with higher charge/discharge capacity (rated in amps of current), because you may be overcooking the battery with your electrical system. I used a cheap Interstate battery in my WRX and it lasted as long as I had the car (~5 years).

Leon711 > Chasaboo
02/11/2016 at 19:07

There are plenty of manufacturers of batteries available in the UK with up to 5 years guarantee, Bosch for example do, as do Duracell, a good quality battery will last more than 2 years.

Leon711 > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 19:09

There are battery manufacturers (in the UK at least) that offer a 5 year guarantee on batteries, so it’s plausible that age is not a factor in this situation.

The Snowman > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 19:47

Optima.

dogisbadob > 1111111111111111111111
02/11/2016 at 20:36

Nothing. They’re just arranged by group size (24F, 35, 151R, etc). A certain size will be spec’d for your car. Differnce mainly in post arrangement (side or top, positive on one side and negative on the other), and actual starting power (bigger batteries usually have more).

1111111111111111111111 > dogisbadob
02/11/2016 at 20:56

Awesome. I’ve wondered that for awhile but never asked or researched. What about amps? More is better?

hike > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 21:01

Straight up best battery? Optima Red Top. Used to use these in the ambulances I worked on. We had a few units tha really wouldn't start with any other battery. They're really incredible. Also crazy expensive. I quite like Magneti Marelli batteries. They're pretty solid and we'll priced.

dogisbadob > 1111111111111111111111
02/11/2016 at 21:07

Yeah, more is better.

boxrocket > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 21:55

I’ve lost track of who owns what brands, but as a technician and multi-car owner, I’ve had very good experience with Bosch, Interstate (a Johnson Controls company IIRC), and Volvo OEM (which apparently someone else has mentioned). Duralast essentially sucks. CarQuest (now Advanced) has gone down in recent years. Optima are potent but I’m not sure about their longevity.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Chasaboo
02/11/2016 at 22:20

I went 5 years on the same ac delco battery. swapped it out (alternator was bad) and it lasted 2 more years in my dads truck.

dietryng > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 23:14

optima red top. biggest with most cca that will fit. theyll run a car 30 miles home at night without an alternator. if your truck wont start, you can put it in compound, and crank the starter to move across an entire parking lot(uphill) with enough left to kick over the motor. left the dome light on? itll still be on in the morning to help you find the keys to put in the ignition. had one actually die after 7 years of abuse.

spend the money once.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Decay buys too many beaters
02/11/2016 at 23:20

that, is a very small battery. Significant weight savings.

V6 or Bust > dietryng
02/11/2016 at 23:26

Yeah... This motor has 150,000 miles. Forums say they usually conk out at 150,000 miles. So, I don’t think I want to drop the big bucks in it.

Lurch > V6 or Bust
02/11/2016 at 23:44

I do like ACDelco batteries. I use them in both my trucks.

dietryng > V6 or Bust
02/12/2016 at 00:10

150,000 is just a number. so long as you keep up the routine maintenance, and stay ahead of timing belts, you can pull out a few more years. i understand planned obsolescence and all, but batteries can be moved car to car.

invest in peace of mind.

pour some coke on that corrosion.

Decay buys too many beaters > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
02/12/2016 at 02:21

The battery that came out and related hardware was 32lbs, everything that went back totaled under 5.

MM54 > V6 or Bust
02/12/2016 at 19:32

I’ve had good luck with Diehard Gold batteries in the past if you don’t want to spend the incredible amount that an optima or other AGM battery costs. They are mostly made by the same groups though, and brands change hands now and then so who knows.

A knowledagble aquantaince of mine recently suggested to me to simply get whichever battery has the best warranty, because they’re all shit now. I don’t know that I agree, but it’s another option.

V6 or Bust > MM54
02/12/2016 at 20:23

I picked up a NAPA today. I didn’t have any choice, really, I just walked in, told them the group and CCA, and the clerk plunked it down on the counter and said, “That’ll be $115."

MM54 > V6 or Bust
02/12/2016 at 20:35

Cool. I need a battery for my Chevelle, I’m considering a NAPA Legend since they’re made by East Penn, as opposed to Johnson Controls which makes most batteries - batteries which are known to be junk.

Best of luck!

V6 or Bust > MM54
02/12/2016 at 20:37

That’s exactly why I went there, others in this thread recommended East Penn. NAPA batteries have a $20 rebate if you go before the end of February.

MM54 > V6 or Bust
02/12/2016 at 20:41

That probably covers the core cost! Thanks for the heads-up, I’ll try to go before the end of the month.